In Memory of Pope Francis

From a post first published 22 April 2025, LinkedIn

The death of Jose Mario Bergoglio, the Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis and the first Pope to be named Francis, leaves me with a sense of desperation and loss, but also hope. Desperation and loss because he stood as a beacon amongst leaders, fearless and upright. More than ever, more of his wisdom and light are needed in these times. Hopeful, because in him we see personified servant leadership and the possibility of emulation.

It is the words of Karl Marx that I recalled when I heard the news of Pope Francis’s death. It may seem strange considering that Marx was the ultimate materialist and atheist and by no means a fan of religion. Most know the first line: “Religion is the opium of the people”.  But Marx went on to say: “It is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of our soulless conditions.”

Pope Francis understood the purpose of faith. More than anything, Pope Francis
✅ Was a unifier, not a divider
✅ Celebrated difference and didn’t denigrate it
✅ Embodied compassion, empathy and mercy as the driving force of the human condition

As the first non-European Bishop of Rome in more than 1300 years (following in the footsteps of Pope Gregory III, a Syrian), he epitomised the essence of possibility.

He found nobility in power, not vanity.

Why did he choose the name Francis?

In reverence to St Francis of Assisi, known for his commitment to peace, the poor and the environment.

As a Muslim, I join many around the world in mourning the passing of Pope Francis — a man whose humility, moral courage, and compassion transcended faith and faith boundaries.

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un – to God we belong and to Him we return.

Photo Courtesy 📷 The Mail & Guardian